February Fusion Athletes: Erin & Alex Price

For February, the official month of LOVE, we named two couples to be February Fusion Athletes! While fitness is generally a personal pursuit for a lot of people, it’s always great to have that added support of your #bae (significant other) going through the same journey.

First up, college sweethearts Erin & Alex Price exemplify the DBS spirit through their commitment and support of each other. They are 5AM warriors, so working together gives them that extra jolt to get out of bed before the sun is up.

Congratulations!

How did you first hear about Dane’s Body Shop?

We saw the gym a few times driving by, and it looked like everyone there was working hard and having fun, so we decided to try it out.

How do you motivate each other to keep coming back to workout?

Alex: Erin has to wake me up at 4:30 [a.m.] or else I would never make it in. She’s really good at being a morning person. I usually don’t fully wake up until after the warm up!

Erin: Alex makes me laugh even at 4:30 in the morning, and I love being able to share this time together. He motivates me during the workout and on our off days; it’s so nice to have someone with you who is working for the same goals.

What is your favorite movement? Least favorite? Why?

Alex: My favorite move is a pull-up, because I’m actually kind of okay at them. My least favorite are weighted lunges, because they remind me of a nightmare where I’m trying to run fast, but I can’t.

Erin: My favorite is the clean because I really need to work on them. There are so many moving parts and they are so challenging for me that when they finally click it feels awesome! My least favorite is the Kong walk because it makes me feel slow and uncoordinated, but the only way to get better is to keep them coming!

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Where would you want to see the most improvement this year?

Alex: I want to improve my squat and shoulder mobility.

Erin: I want to improve my squat form and mobility, and build core and upper body strength.

Did you do anything special for Valentine’s Day this month?

We actually went to strength class, played some sand volleyball, and went out to dinner.

If you could control the workout playlist, what songs would you play?

We are really into Gareth Emery’s “Electric for Life” Podcast, and if we had to choose just one it would be episode 7. It’s a really good hour-long mix. Definitely keeps you moving and energized.

Tell us something funny or unexpected about your partner!

Alex: Erin once drank the juice of an entire watermelon in one sitting!

Erin: Alex once had a shag haircut. He liked it so much that he made a clay bust sculpture of himself.

Register here to work up a sweat with your boo at the Shop.

November Fusion Athlete: Clayton Daniels

One thing we love at the Shop is seeing everyone improve. You don’t need to be a member for years to see results. November Fusion Athlete Clayton Daniels has been a member for nine months and he’s killing it every time he steps up to the barbell! We’re excited to see where his fitness journey takes him at DBS.

Congratulations Clayton!

How did you first hear about Dane’s Body Shop?
I live in the Hyde Park area and drove by and noticed everyone flipping tires in the heat of day. I always thought, “Those people are hard core!!”

Then, when I decided to set a goal and a strong commitment to losing weight and getting in shape, I began reading about Dane’s online. One afternoon, my wife and I drove by to check out the action, and when we walked in, the first person we met was Dane. He showed us around and answered a lot of my questions.

Tell us about a moment you felt most proud of yourself during a workout.
Dane’s is the first workout program I have ever joined. Needless to say, when I began, I was pretty out of shape and had a severe lack of lower body flexibility. Because my lower body was so out of shape, I had a hard time executing several of the Olympic lifts. I started attending Matt’s strength classes, and we found out my flexibility issues were mainly in the hips/psoas muscle and the hamstrings. Executing the proper deadlift form haunted me for a while. For whatever reason, it just wasn’t clicking. Matt would send me articles to read and videos to watch, but I still couldn’t get it down. Finally, one day in strength class, Matt and I were working on the deadlift and it all came together. I could feel the pull in my hamstrings and about halfway up Matt and I were like, “That’s it!”

What are some of your favorite activities when you’re not at the Shop?
Since we are in the fall season, I love to watch college football. Other than that, my wife and I are pretty laid back on the weekends. We like to walk or run the trail at the lake and go to Alamo Drafthouse.

If you could control the workout playlist, what three songs would you play?
St. Lucia – “Elevate”
The Knocks – “Classic” (feat. Powers)
Jason Derulo – “The Other Side”

What is your favorite movement? Least favorite? Why?
I love to do any type of clean workout. A full clean into a front squat is a total body movement and really gets the blood following. Bring on the cleans!

I really dislike burpees, and I think most people would agree with me on this. It is easy to get into a good rhythm during a workout with other movements, but every time burpees are included in the circuit, it gets me all out of whack.

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Is there anything that surprised you the most when you joined DBS?
I was definitely surprised how easy going all the trainers are. The entire staff is a pretty laid back group, and it is easy to tell how much everyone enjoys working at the Shop.

What would you say to convince a friend to try a workout at the Shop?
I would tell them to look at my results. When I started working out at Dane’s nine months ago, I barely made it through a Fusion class. I continued attending, and classes started to get easier. Now, I have lost over 15 pounds, gained strength and flexibility, and I could probably beat [Coach] Aaron in a wresting match!

To start your membership, register for classes, or to buy tickets to the Clayton vs. Aaron wrestling match (jk) click here.

November Fusion Athlete: Julie Steubing

Whether you’re a seasoned member of the DBS community, or you’ve been working out with us for a short time, we’re always impressed by how much all of you are up for the challenge we offer at the Shop. November Fusion Athlete Julie Steubing joined at the beginning of the summer, and she’s put the pedal to the metal ever since!

Congratulations, Julie!

How did you first hear about Dane’s Body Shop?
After my husband and I moved to this area in June from Seadrift, Texas, I stumbled across DBS while exploring the neighborhood.

Tell us about a moment you felt most proud of yourself during a workout.
Completing the “BigMac” work out during endurance week. FnGo Hybrid class incorporated three 1 mile runs into the WOD. Running is not my strong point, but with the encouragement of the team and coach Dunte, I did it!

What are some of your favorite activities when you’re not at the Shop?
I love to cook, salt-water fish, hike & bike, camp, mow the grass, and I even have 13 hours of private pilot training under my belt.

If you could control the workout playlist, what three songs would you play?
Extremely hard to pick 3!! Here are some random picks….
Chris Brown – “Look At Me Now” ft. Lil Wayne, Busta Rhymes
Sixx:A.M. – “Life Is Beautiful”
Lenny Kravitz – “Always On The Run”

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What is your favorite movement? Least favorite? Why?
I love every WOD at DBS, but my FAV movement is the SQUAT. Because what girl doesnt want to work out those Glutes and Hams? My least FAV is the Burpee, those are just evil.

Is there anything that surprised you the most when you joined DBS?
I was pleasantly surprised how friendly the community is, and how knowledgeable and helpful the coaches are!

What would you say to convince a friend to try a workout at the Shop?
I would say, “Dude, are you looking for a challenge to beef up your WODs?”
 
Join the DBS Community or register for classes here.

October Fusion Athlete: Kyle Infante

Whether you’ve been an athlete your entire life, or you are new to fitness, Dane’s Body Shop welcomes you with open arms (and a kettlebell in each hand). October Fusion Athlete Kyle Infante had little fitness experience before joining the DBS community, and look at him now! He’s setting PRs left and right! On top of that, Kyle brings outstanding energy to each and every workout!

Great work, Kyle!

What is your fitness background?

I really haven’t had much of a fitness background. I always talked about how I wanted to start getting in shape and doing something active, but never did anything until last year when I started distance running. Then I had heard so many great things about the Shop and decided I’d try it out for myself. Since then, I’ve been hooked.

You have so much fun in class! What is your attitude when approaching a challenging workout?

I try to stay as present as possible. I don’t think ahead about how many rounds or reps are coming; I do my best to focus on that rep and enjoy the momentum of everyone else working out around me. And when all else fails, I get into the music playing.

What are you doing when you are not at the Shop?

I tend to stay busy. Whether I’m working, doing something outdoors, or trying new restaurants with friends, I like to be out and about.

What has been your biggest accomplishment since joining the Shop?

First and foremost, doing a strict pull-up. Before coming to the Shop, I didn’t have much upper body strength and felt weak. But during Strength Week, I set a PR for front squat at 235!

What fitness goals have you set for yourself in the future?

I’d like to continue increasing my PRs for push press and strict press, and I’m very interested in joining the Strength Team.

You have attended our Free Picnik Boot Camp on Sundays. What do you like about this off-site workout?

I love the fast pace and the intensity. Trevor makes sure we’re constantly moving and keeps us all excited about the work out. Plus, you can’t go wrong with butter coffee after.

What do you tell your friends about the place you go and get sweaty at every week?

I tell them that I love it and it’s changed my life. Before coming to the Shop, I was sedentary and never stepped foot into a gym. Now I find myself talking about Dane’s regularly and I recommend it to anyone who asks. I’ve also been known to check-in consistently on Facebook.

If you could pick 5 songs to play in class, what would they be?

– Anything Beyonce, specifically “***Flawless,” the ***Flawless remix or “’Yonce”
– “Monster” – Kanye West, Rick Ross, Jay Z, Nicki Minaj
– “3 Kings” – Slim Thug, Bun B, T.I.
– “Bounce” – MSTRKRFT feat. N.O.R.E.
– Anything Girl Talk
 
To get your fitness into gear by joining the Dane’s Body Shop community, or to register for classes if you already have, click here

October Fusion Athlete: Christina Koprowski

At Dane’s Body Shop, we value how unique and talented each and every one of our members is. We also love how many of you have become such amazing, well-rounded athletes. Hey! Speaking of talented, well-rounded athletes, meet Christina Koprowski, one of our October Fusion Athletes.

Christina joined the DBS community with an Ironman under her belt, and she was ready for more! Christina’s a newly competitive weightlifter, yoga instructor, dog mom, and champ of chillin’!

Congratulations, Christina! Keep up the excellent work!

What brought you to Dane’s Body Shop?
My first encounter with Dane’s was at a Free Community Workout on a Sunday morning back in 2012. I worked with Abbey Gonzalez at the YMCA, and she invited me to come to this class with her and [Coach] Matt. I had just done my first 70.3 Ironman and felt like I could take on the world. Little did I know, that DBS workout would almost kill me. Dane was coaching and he was wearing tall socks and Chuck’s. I remember thinking to myself, “This can’t be too bad because he looks like a nice guy.” Ten minutes later, I was cursing under my breath, and it occurred to me that endurance sports were nothing like the full blown attack my body was experiencing. Despite mentally cursing at [Dane] and wondering if Abbey and Matt were even really my friends, I decided to keep coming back for more. I’ve been a DBS member ever since.

You are also a spin and yoga instructor. What is unique about the coaches at the Shop?
I think my answer can actually be found within this question. The uniqueness of each coach is what makes Dane’s Body Shop so special. Everyone comes from different experiences and has different specialties. Not every coach pressures you to pick up the heaviest thing around (Matt), and not every coach pushes you to run ungodly distances (Leann). But when you put together all of the DBS coaches, you get an extremely well rounded set of people. The proof can be found by taking a look at the members of Dane’s Body Shop. We’re all different. We all have our own interests, goals, lives, and experiences. Yet, we all live under the same DBS roof and continue to grow faster, stronger, happier, and more confident as a community.

You have recently taken up Olympic weightlifting with the intent to compete, and you just competed in your first meet. Tell us a little more about this new passion and your experience competing.
I suppose it’s all because I have a bit of a Napoleon complex, and there’s something magical about being a 4’9″ gal who can Snatch and Clean & Jerk big weight. I grew up as a competitive gymnast, so I work really well with super focused training like Olympic weightlifting. After attending a training camp in July at The Olympic Training Center at Northern Michigan University with Dunte, I was hooked. Watching those lifters was awe-inspiring and it made me want to become a stronger lifter. When we got back to Texas, Dunte tossed me into a training program and I prepped for my first meet. Our goal for my first meet was to hit 6 for 6 lifts—so just completing all of my attempts with weight I’ve successfully hit during training. I finished only one lift away from meeting my goal because my second Snatch attempt didn’t go as planned. Dunte’s daughter, Victoria, walked by as I set up and gave me the biggest wave of all time. Needless to say, I smiled back at her and lost focus. All ended well because I still hit my third attempt and then got to give Victoria a big hug.
I have another meet on October 18th at GrassIron and I’m hoping to hit a few PRs!

You are not a runner; in fact, you despise it. How do you mentally make it through all of the running in Fusion class?
Well, it ain’t pretty. That’s how. I grunt and curse and sigh, and I take it one tiny step at a time. My history as an endurance athlete taught me that my body is stronger than my mind, so I tell my brain to shut up and just keep moving. I might not be the fastest, but I’ll keep at it until the job is done.

You have been involved with the Shop behind-the-scenes creating logos, flyers, FB posts, etc. You have so many talents. Tell us a little more about your hobbies, as well as some goals you have for the future.
My goals for the future all revolve around the idea of being happy. Right now, the things that make me happy are weightlifting, yoga, my dogs, coffee, tacos, bicycles, and beer. You’re right that I have many talents. I just haven’t figured out a way to point them all in the same direction yet. I like doing a bunch of different things and using my talents to help those around me achieve their own goals.

You are roommates with our beloved Coach Matt, tell us something we may have never guessed about Matt.
So, when I first read this question I was sitting next to him on the couch and gave him an evil laugh. Sure, Matt has a few oddities and funny secrets but when it comes down to it, he’s one of my best friends in the world so those types of stories stay protected under roomie code. What I can tell you about Matt is that there’s more to him than big weights and tiny dogs. He’s one of the kindest, most sincere people I’ve ever met and I truly consider him family. I think the most surprising thing about Matt is that he acts as the fashion police of our household and often helps Abbey and me dress ourselves.

Do you have any goals for the Shop itself?
I’m a huge fan of the recent release of more focused programming and can’t wait to see the impact it has on our DBS community. I see how much a focused program has helped me to become a stronger athlete and I hope it does the same for everyone else. Keep doin’ what you’re doin’, Dane’s Body Shop. Thanks for letting me be a part of it!
 
To get your fitness into gear by joining the Dane’s Body Shop community, or to register for classes if you already have, click here

September Fusion Athlete: Lucia Facundo

We always feel proud of our members at the Shop. Each and every one of you brings strength and fortitude to the workouts. Sometimes you just want to hit the snooze button and get that extra hour or two of sleep, but September Fusion Athlete Lucia Facundo finds reasons to get out of bed and work up a sweat before the Sun even realizes it’s the next day. Whether she’s training for a marathon or wants to workout with her two daughters at FnGo South, Lucia is ready for any obstacle we put up on the board.

Congratulations, Lucia!

We asked Lucia a few questions about her motivation and her three-year journey growing with the Shop.

How did you hear about Dane’s Body Shop? How long have you been a member?

About three years ago, one of my co-workers at school organized a special deal with Dane for our staff. We met with Aaron at the triangle and it was a great introduction to working out for most of us. When our six weeks was up, I joined Dane’s Body Shop.

The Shop has transformed a lot since you started working out. What difference have you seen in the transformation, and how has it affected your workout routine?

The addition of yoga, running groups, and strength classes allows us to pick an activity almost every day of the week. The free Sunday classes allow me to recommend Dane’s to my friends without them feeling any commitment to join.

Your family is involved in the Shop. Two of your daughters workout at the FnGo South bootcamp, and your son-in-law is a coach. How has the family aspect of DBS motivated you to stay strong and consistent over the past few years?

When I’m tempted to hit the snooze button at 5 a.m., I remind myself that my girls are at their workout by 5:45. That motivates me to get going.

You have overcome so many challenges at the Shop, including the box jump. What other goals do you have for the future?

That darn clean and press. Enough said.

You completed the marathon in San Antonio last year, which was a long time goal for you. How do you think your training at the Shop helped you complete the race?

Running a full marathon a month before my 60th birthday made my workouts even more important. I know the conditioning I obtained at Dane’s enabled me to finish the race and recover quicker. I remember hearing Dane say, “You’ve got to earn it,” during one of the classes. That was my mantra during the race.

Do you have any advice for mothers or grandmothers that are interested in starting a workout routine but don’t know if Dane’s is the right fit for them?

Don’t compare yourself to others. Dane’s atmosphere truly supports individual efforts and whether you’re powerlifting 55 lbs or 150, it’s the individual accomplishments that are acknowledged.

What has been your favorite thing about being a part of the Dane’s Body Shop community?

The support that members give each other, coaches are great encouraging us but when your partner is holding plank while you run a 200, that makes me run a little faster.

What vision do you have for the Shop in the next year?

Perhaps more nutritional information, I don’t know how best to fuel my body for my workouts.

Note: Since we interviewed Lucia we’ve launched the Wellness Ambassador program, where members can get nutrition tips from Coach Veronica, as well as referrals for physical therapy, medical care, psychology, and even Shop recommendations for fun spots around town!

September Fusion Athlete: Douglas Murray

If you find your workouts aren’t getting any easier, take a step back. You may find that you’ve been pushing yourself that much harder. September Fusion Athlete Douglas Murray is doing just that. You may notice him doing extra work after class — what began as a fast 400 is now a fast three-miler! It’s that tenacity that inspires us to do what we do, and we’re glad members like Douglas come back to the Shop everyday.

Congratulations, Douglas!

We asked Douglas a few questions about where he finds that energy to push himself harder every time.

How long have you been coming to the Shop? How did you find out about us?

I’ve been going to Dane’s Body Shop for a year and a half now (plus some odd months). I didn’t hear about Dane’s so much as I went looking for it. I decided I was way out of shape and needed to get my butt in gear. I hopped onto Yelp.com, typed ‘Gym’ and voila, Dane’s Body Shop was first on the list. After scrolling through five or six pages of nothing but GUSHING ,GLOWING, and POSITIVE reviews (there were a lot more pages exactly like those!), I knew I had the right place.

When you first started Dane’s Body Shop, what were your goals? What was your main reason for joining?

When I first started at DBS, my main goal was just to get through the warm up part without wanting to curl into the fetal position and cry for mommy *grin*. Needless to say, ahem, that has changed. My main reason for joining the Shop was simple. I wanted to get and stay in the best possible shape, as well as lose some love handles. Ah, vanity!

Have you met your goals now that you’ve been a member for a while? If so, what new goals have you set for yourself?

Well, I have made a dent in them (still looking for those six pack abs—they must be in the front office), but by no means have I achieved them. That’s mainly due to the fact that I am constantly changing/pushing my goals. “An object in motion stays in motion with the same speed and in the same direction.” Newton’s first law is spot on; you simply have to keep pushing yourself no matter how tiny the steps may be.

What is the most dramatic change you have seen in yourself since joining the Shop?

The biggest changes I’ve seen are threefold: 1) I’m able to run a 400m (now up to 3 miles post workout) with no problem, 2) Do back squats and still be able to walk the next day, and 3) Actually signing up for the classes I attend! (Don’t tell Leann!) [From Leann: BUSTED!]

What movement is your favorite? What is your least favorite?

Wow, that’s a tough one. I’d say my favorite movement is Child’s Pose. Kidding! It would the the Power Clean. I love adding just a little more weight each time. Least favorite movement? Well, it started out anything kettlebell related, then morphed into push ups, and is now currently ANYTHING squat related.

Explain the Shop in two sentences like you’re telling someone about it for the first time.

Dane’s Body Shop is a community where everyone is dedicated to making everyone one else around better; each day, every day. It’s a gym where you know your body is going to be pushed to and past what you thought was humanly possible (looking at you Coach Matt and Coach Dante!).

You have such a great work ethic, you give 110% every time you walk into the fusion room. What drives you?

I had to chuckle at this question a little. I am more than a little stubborn, so my parents tell me—I like to think of it as “tenacious.” I firmly believe you get what you give no matter what it may be. If you have that ”fire in your belly,” there simply aren’t many things you won’t be able to achieve. I love the line from near the end of Top Gun: “You know you won’t be happy unless you you’re going Mach 12 with your hair on fire.” It all boils down to “BE PASSIONATE”. If you are, you will never look back with regret!

July Fusion Athlete: Esteban Rivera

Being so close to the University of Texas, a good chunk of our community consists of students. We’re always so impressed with the amount of dedication our students can show, especially when finals come around.

One of our July Fusion Athletes, Esteban Rivera, just graduated from UT at the beginning of the summer, and while we’re sad to see him go, we applaud his work he did on campus and, of course, at the Shop!

Congratulations, Esteban! We wish you the best in all of your professional and fitness pursuits!

Esteban, what brought you to Austin? Where are you originally
from?

Hi! I came to Austin to go to school at UT, I just graduated in May with a degree in Advertising! I am originally from Matamoros, Tamaulipas in Mexico, right across the border from Brownsville, TX. I commuted between these two places almost daily for the first 18 years of my life, it was a cool and interesting experience!

How did you hear about Dane’s Body Shop? What was your first class like?

I had seen DBS before, when I would pass by and I remember thinking, “What are these people doing?” I wanted in on it! I remember researching different gyms in Austin online and this one seemed (and is obviously) the best one! I loved the whole community aspect, as well as the types of programs and classes offered. The first time I was at the Shop was for my consult. I remembered being a little intimidated, but thought nobody starts by flipping huge tires or lifting ridiculous amounts of weight. We all have to start somewhere. My first class was Fusion Fundamentals, and it was awesome. I remember thinking that there was so much I needed to learn!

You excelled very quickly in your fitness, often attending both Fusion and Strength classes in one day. What’s your motivation?

I like to think to myself that it is going to be easier to get into shape, healthier, and fitter at this age than later in life. That has been my motivation: starting sooner rather than later. Before taking Strength and Fusion classes, my workouts consisted of runs. They were boring, classes at the Shop are fun. Small achievements like adding another 5lbs or 10lbs to the bar, or swinging a heavier kettlebell were also motivators that kept me going.

How has being a part of the Shop affected your life in Austin?

The Shop changed my Austin experience for the better. I am now a morning person and take greater advantage of my day. I feel more productive, sharper, and balanced throughout the day. I get more done, and still make time for the Shop. Being part of DBS has also helped me be more conscious of the food I eat, getting more sleep, and focusing on my overall wellness.

What’s your greatest accomplishment at the Shop?

I think my greatest accomplishment at the Shop has been with Olympic lifting. I had no idea what it entailed before I started, and was, to be honest, very intimidated about strength classes at first. I still have much to learn and work on, but I and very proud of all my achievements so far.

What is your favorite movement? What is your least favorite?

It’s a tie: My favorite movements are back squats and push press! My least favorite are pushups. I just can’t get to like them!

How would you describe the community at the Shop to a friend?

DBS is a community of people who encourage each other to be the best they can be. This place is full of nice, great people with positive attitudes! If you want to get stronger, fitter, and healthier while being surrounded by awesome people, DBS is for you!

July Fusion Athlete: Kellie Thames

The best thing about working at the Shop is seeing everyone bring us their best, whether you’re a beginner or have a ton of fitness experience. At the end of the workout, no matter who you are, if you gave it your best, you’ll feel the same! Stronger, faster, and, yes, maybe ready to take lay down after class during conditioning weeks.

July Fusion Athlete Kellie Thames came to the Shop with extensive fitness experience, and we’re so happy she found a home here! Kellie shows up at the crack of dawn and gives 110% every workout! We’re so proud to be a part of her fitness journey!

Congratulations, Kellie!

How long have you been coming to the Shop and what made you decide to give it a shot?

I’ve been at the Shop for one year. When I first moved to Austin I joined a local CrossFit gym. After seven months, I realized that I left most classes feeling like I wasn’t strong enough, good enough, fast enough, ‘you name it’ enough. So I took a break and threw myself into yoga and Barre classes for about a year. Near the end of that year I began feeling anxious to get myself moving more. I heard about Dane’s through social media and decided I would give it a try. After my first class, I realized this is the challenge I had been looking for.

How is the Shop different than the training you have done in the past?
It’s similar in a lot of ways to a CrossFit gym I was a member of at Ramstein Air Force Base in 2008. It is a group of friendly people that want to be fit and have fun. I think the programming at Dane’s is fantastic, and I have yet to be bored with anything we have done.

You have competed in the AFM FITTEST for the past couple years. What other competitions or races have you done? Do you feel your workouts at the Shop help you train for these events?

I ran marathons for 6 years before starting at the gym in Germany. I also competed in a Crossfit Competition in Denmark that was humbling. One of the workouts involved a 12/10/8 scheme with a deadlift bar of 250 (at the time my deadlift PR was 185). It may sound over the top, but the Shop has prepared me for the competition of life. Both my mental and physical strength have surged since joining the Shop.

You are getting married soon. Tell us about your fiancé and the things you enjoy doing when you are not at the Shop.

My fiancé and I met on Match and we are total opposites in some ways, but very alike in others. Our relationship is fun and easy and I’m lucky to have found him. Both of us are busy young professionals with a list of engagements, so during the weekend we try to spend as much time together as possible. We love hanging out with our 2 dogs, exploring the many restaurants in Austin, or sitting on the couch and catching up on some of our favorite TV shows like Veep, The Walking Dead, and House of Cards. Bear in mind this is all while planning a wedding, so what little down time we do have is cherished.

What goals do you have for the future? Are there any specific skills you are working on improving at the moment?
I want to get stronger and have been pushing myself to stop being a wuss and pick up the heavier weights! I will always and forever be working on my squat. So simple, yet to complex.

What would you say the Shop offers that you won’t find at other gyms?

Low pressure, high fun. I feel like everyone I’ve met at the Shop is down to earth and friendly. I love that the Shop has dedicated coaches that show up at 5 AM to teach, along with dedicated members that show up in the wee hours of the morning to make me feel like I’m not a crazy person. (Thanks Leann, Chris, and Brittany! Thanks morning crew. Y’all rock.)

If you were going to convince a friend to come try a class at the Shop how would you sell them on it? What would be the one warning you might give them?

I’d tell them it’s the best way to get a total body workout and do things you never would have thought you could do. I’d also tell them the coaches are great and want you to succeed while having a good time. As far as a warning, it can be really intimidating to go into a class with people who have been there for several months. You may feel like an outsider at first, but that will soon change. I am introverted by nature, so I can relate to people feeling stressed out in a group class environment. A newbie should trust that everyone is too exhausted from their own workout to notice what you are doing. The best thing to focus on is doing your best at each workout and not what others are doing. You are there to challenge yourself!

June Fusion Athlete: Meghan Brindley

We like to think of our Fusion Athletes of the Month as representatives of everything the Shop stands for: positivity, strong determination, and community. Our next June Fusion Athlete, Meghan Brindley, perfectly encapsulates those principles in and out of the Shop.

Meghan is a regular attendee of both our Fusion and Strength classes. Whether she’s at the Shop for her regular dose of endorphins or training hard for her next triathlon, you bet Meghan will be racking up the reps and stacking on the weight with a smile!

Congratulations, Meghan!

How long have you been a DBS member, and how did you hear about us?
I’ve been at Dane’s for just over 2 years (my first class was actually on Cinco de Mayo … which turned out to be Cinco de Burpees). I live on Guadalupe and passed the Shop everyday, and a friend of mine recommended it.

You are a woman who loves strength class. What is it about the programming and lifting that you enjoy?
As a newbie I had this preconceived notion that “strength class” meant a bunch of protein pounding, grunting, GTL characters. Coupled with that, lifting always seemed pretty extreme, and I knew that if you didn’t lift something correctly, you could get hurt. But even with those thoughts, I knew that it was still a new challenge I wanted to try. I asked Matt if a beginner could come to the class, and he encouraged me to join. It was pretty apparent after my first few classes that there was a central theme to everything: support. From the support I got from the coaching staff to lift correctly and safely, the support I got from the other people in the class, and finally the literal support that I got from other people spotting when I hit my maxes, Dane’s provided an excellent learning environment for what turned out to be a new passion.

A few weeks into the series I was amazed at how my other fitness activities and general confidence had increased. I found myself wishing that I had that type of training when I was swimming in high school and college. I was shocked a year later when I cut almost 30 minutes off of my triathlon time! This year I cut off another 12 minutes. Strength class has really created a solid foundation for me to build other fitness routines on. And truth be told, while watching my strength and confidence increase has been awesome, the best part has been watching so many other ladies join the group (when I first started there were two or three of us).

Have you ever considered competing in a lifting meet?
Now that I’ve been through the tri circuit a few times I think it’s time to try something new, and a lifting meet sounds like a great challenge. Besides, it’s pretty neat to be a small girl and lift things that weigh more than you do!

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You often bring friends to class and refer them to the Shop. What is it about the Shop, the community, and the atmosphere that gives you to confidence to refer your friends?
There are a lot of things that I absolutely love about the Shop, but one of the best things is the variety. It’s not just the variety of the classes that are offered, but it’s the variety of the workouts, as well as the variety of fitness levels that join our classes. I think when it comes to fitness, it’s especially intimidating to start something new. I work in social media and was always afraid that someone would be secretly recording my workout at the gym and I’d end up on one of those #FitnessFail sites for ridiculous form.

Dane’s will provide a challenging environment for you regardless of your fitness level. As long as you’ve got a positive attitude and you’re ready to get work done, everyone here is welcoming and supportive. It’s because of that attitude that I’ve been able to make so many great friends. Between the classes and the social events that Dane’s hosts, the majority of the people I hang out with I met at the shop. In fact in April when I celebrated my birthday, half of the people that joined my celebration were from Dane’s, including Dane’s father who I fondly call Papa Body Shop. A true an indicator that it’s a pretty special place if you ask me!

How would you convince a friend who’s on the fence about joining a gym to give the Shop a try?
I actually get asked this a lot and I always answer with “You’ve got to start somewhere.” Even after I’ve taken a few days off due to work travel or scheduling conflicts, it can sometimes be tough motivating myself to get back in the fitness groove because you know it’s going to be difficult. Then I think about some of the people I’ve talked to who have been out of the game for weeks or even months for a variety of reasons, but it always comes back to “You’ve got to start somewhere!”

To ease that initial intimidation factor, I love that Dane’s offer Fusion Fundamentals as a class, so new members can get acquainted with the types of workouts we do and our overall culture. Part of that culture is learning how to lead a healthy life where fitness is just the start. The coaches at the Shop are always available and happy to talk about nutrition, stretching and overall wellness which is extremely helpful.

What visions do you have for Dane’s Body Shop in the future? Juice bar, new location, pet grooming, ha! Anything you want!

A juice bar would be pretty legit … but since it’s summer, I vote DBS boat party.

 
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